IC11 teams linking up with AFL clubs in Melbourne

IC teams are arriving in Melbourne today and are linking up with various AFL clubs.

Hawthorn will play host to the New Zealand International Team, who are taking part in the International Cup. The New Zealand team will visit Waverley Park for a tour by Hawks players, followed by a training session on the Hawks’ training ground.

Hawthorn has a successful relationship with AFLNZ through its HANZ-UP! program and the Hawks team will warm up in the official HANZ-UP! guernsey on Saturday

Richmond today hosted the Indian football team for a training session at the ME Bank Centre. The India Tigers are competing in the 2011 AFL International Cup, wearing replica Richmond guernseys.

Richmond players Trent Cotchin, David Astbury and Tom Derickx took the Indian team for a training session and talked to them about playing football in Australia. The Indian squad includes 12 players from India and 17 from Melbourne and Sydney’s Indian community.

Chairperson of Celebrate India, Arun Sharma said: “We are proud to host the India Tigers for this fantastic tournament and hope the local Indian community will come and show their support. We look forward to meeting the players and know it will be a great experience for them all.”

Players from the Western Bulldogs and AFL Peace Team held a junior footy clinic at Whitten Oval today with more than 300 school children from a diversity of backgrounds.

The Peace Team was formed in 2008 and utilises Australian Rules Football as a mechanism to bring Israelis and Palestinians together and provides a common platform for contact and interaction.